Testosteroneis an important hormone for men and women, but its effects aren’t limited to the reproductive system.
Read on to learn more about normal testosterone ranges and what testosterone replacements are recommended.
Inwomen, testosteroneproduction peaks in a woman’s 20s and then declines gradually.
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However, unlike estrogen, testosterone is still produced in women after menopause.
Some common reasons for testosterone levels to drop are:
How Does Testosterone Affect Women?
Testosterone isn’t just a male hormone.
It’s also an important part of women’s health and is made in the ovaries and adrenal glands.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about how your testosterone level may be impacting your health.
Testosterone plays a role in the timing and organization ofcircadian rhythms, a bang out of internal clock.
During puberty, testosterone levels increase and we start to stay awake later.
Sleep deprivation or restriction, on the other hand, can cause testosterone levels to drop.
In one study, obstructive sleep apnea was linked not to testosterone levels, but to obesity.
Weight loss helped improve the condition, while testosterone replacement didn’t help or worsen the severity ofsleep apnea.
Are Low Testosterone and Sleep Apnea Related?
A number of studies have linked low testosterone levels to sleep apnea in one way or another.
Interrupted breathing causes a host of sleep problems, which in turn can impair testosterone production.
How to Increase Testosterone
There are several ways to increase your testosterone level.
Below are a number of options for addressing a low testosterone level.
You should talk to a healthcare professional to find the best option for your specific situation.
A Word From Verywell
Low testosterone levels can have a big impact on both men and women.
For men, under 300 ng/dL is considered low, and under 15 ng/dL is low for women.
Just like in men, testosterone in women decreases with age.
Lifestyle choices like alcohol and drug use can also play a role.
Testosterone is produced mainly in the testicles for men, and in the ovaries for women.
Both men and women also produce some testosterone in the adrenal glands.
In women, high testosterone can develop with polycystic ovary syndrome.
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